Samir Furqan’s hopes of medalling at the Junior World Wushu Championships in China went up in smoke yesterday after the teenage Sanshou fighter bowed out of the competition at the first hurdle.The Cedarbridge Academy student was eliminated after losing his opening match in the 56kg division 2-0 to Turkey’s Mustafa Korkusuz who landed a telling blow in the second round to all but seal the contest.Furqan, the first local to appear at the championships, fought a good battle but in the end it wasn’t enough to advance through to the next round.According to reports, very little separated the fighters in the opening round of yesterday’s match which could have gone either way before Korkusuz took control in the second round.The Turkish fighter won the second round more convincingly, landing a blow that took a heavy toll on his Bermudian rival.Despite the loss, Furqan’s coach and Bermuda Sanshou Association president Garon Wilkinson was pleased with his fighter’s performance.“Samir fought extremely well and at the end of the day we are extremely pleased with his performance,” he told The Royal Gazette.“In fact, this is by far his best performance to date.”Wilkinson added: “We knew that Turkey (Korkusuz) was going to be a tough opponent. However, we were very disappointed not to win the first round. Both Sentwali (assistant coach Sentwali Woolridge) and I felt that he (Furqan) was the dominant fighter and scored more points.“It was unfortunate that he caught the kick to the groin in the second round. He just lost his spark after that kick. The level of fighting at this world junior level is unbelievable and it is sometimes hard to believe that these athletes are between the ages of 15 and 18.”Assistant coach Woolridge also spoke highly of Furqan’s performance.“I think Sam did an excellent job,” he said. “He listened to his corner and did everything he was supposed to do but unfortunately he got edged out.“Sam has come a long way to be competing on the international scene and we are so proud of him. He did everything he was supposed to do but it was a good match.”Furqan and Woolridge are both scheduled to fight on the undercard of next month’s ‘All or Nothing’ WBC & WBA World Middleweight Boxing Championship at Fairmont Southampton.Bermuda’s Teresa Perozzi and American Tori Nelson will clash for the WBA and vacant WBC middleweight belts in the main event.Perozzi, whose pro record stands at 9-4-1, currently holds the WBA middleweight belt.Nelson, the reigning WIBA middleweight champ, has yet to be beaten as a pro.